To spur innovation, the Colorado Competes report recommended a more efficient patent process and urged a cooperative approach to bringing a new patent office to Colorado. In July, the Dept. of Commerce selected Denver for a regional patent office after a multi-year effort by Senator Michael Bennet, the Colorado delegation, and the business community in Colorado.

With significant input from Colorado’s aerospace community, Senator Bennet introduced legislation to give the Administration the ability to put nonsensitive satellites under commercial regulations instead of trafficking and arms regulations. Currently, U.S. manufacturers are at a competitive disadvantage in the global market against foreign competitors not subject to these regulations.

Senator Bennet successfully secured provisions in FDA reform legislation to bring breakthrough treatments to patients more quickly, advance medical device innovations and prevent critical drug shortages. The bipartisan legislation passed the Senate and House and was signed into law in July.

Along with joining efforts by the Governor and other members of the delegation, Senator Bennet has made collaboration a priority and has led efforts to bring the delegation together on issues important to the innovation economy in our state like the wind energy production tax credit.

Senator Bennet led a letter with seven other members of the Colorado delegation to extend the wind energy production tax credit. He also worked with Senator Jerry Moran (R-KS) on a bipartisan amendment to the transportation bill to extend the credit and is an original cosponsor of a bill that would also extend the credit. Wind energy supports about 6,000 jobs in our state and Congress’ inaction threatens the ability of the industry as a whole to plan for its long term viability.